We have an official 2 year old!

No, they are not in pain . . . they are not being blinded by intensely unnatural light, they were not just sucking on lemons . . . these are my extremely happy and excited kids “cheesing.” As beautiful as they are, modeling would not be for them.

We were celebrating Emilia’s 2nd birthday (it was Saturday) this weekend at the Great Escape Lodge. We’ve had birthday parties with “friends” for all 4 of Gabriel’s birthdays, and without question, the 2nd one was the least sensible. The first is a must of course for US, but at two, a family party is all the kids want. So, we made a simple pasta dinner, invited the family (who spoiled her rotten) for donuts (we aren’t so much “cake people”) and THAT WAS IT. Then on Sunday, we took the same money we’d spend on a party and took the kids to the indoor water park up in Lake George.

It was an awesome time. They were the perfect age for it, but then again, I think it would be a blast for kids of any age. In fact, the first time we went was my 30th birthday present from Damon. For the little kids, the Warner Bros. characters milling around is a huge thrill, as is Bedtime Stories with a character. At 8pm the kids gather in the Lodge’s Library complete with soft couches and warm fire and have what is essentially a library type story hour run by a staff member and, in this case, a 7 foot Scooby Doo who made exaggerated hand gestures, mimed laughter and covered his eyes in fear at the appropriate times.

Gabriel of course, wanted to know why the characters didn’t talk. One quick witted staffer explained that Marvin the Martian wasn’t talking because he had a touch of a sore throat, and I weakly excused Scooby’s silence “because he’s a dog. Dogs can’t talk.” He was quick to remind me that Scooby wasn’t barking either.

So, we now have a bonafide 2 year old! Again. It’s exciting and a bit sad all at once. She’s a total riot. Part drama queen, part diva, part Boss of the Universe . . . but I can’t get my mind around the fact that my second child is now 2. The idea of her being the “big sister” seems ridiculous.

She must have decided that being 2 is a big deal after all though, because today she tinkled on the potty for the first time! Quite a milestone even if it was purely accidental.